Pacers vs Knicks Player Match Statistics & Box Scores

The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks delivered a tense 114‑109 playoff battle on May 23, 2025, at Madison Square Garden — a game defined not just by the score but by James Johnson’s bizarre ejection. This breakdown examines key player statistics, the ejection fallout, and the numbers shaping the series.

Final Score (May 23, 2025): Pacers 114 – Knicks 109 ·
Final Score (May 25, 2025): Knicks 106 – Pacers 100 ·
Free Throw % (May 25): Knicks 90.0%

Three recent matchups, each with its own story: the box scores reveal consistent trends in shooting efficiency and turnover margins.

Who is the best player of the Indiana Pacers?

The data points to Tyrese Haliburton, but the Pacers’ depth will determine how far they go.

Tyrese Haliburton’s current performance

• Haliburton is the Pacers’ primary playmaker and leading scorer in the 2025‑26 season, averaging 25.2 ppg (NBA player profile).
• In the May 23 matchup, he was the engine of the Pacers’ offense, though his exact point total is not detailed in the available box score.

The implication: Haliburton’s scoring and passing keep the Pacers competitive even when the team struggles from three.

Comparison with other Pacers stars

• Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner provide frontcourt balance. Turner averaged 10+ rebounds in the series (CBS Sports).
• No other Pacers player reached 20 points in the May 25 loss, highlighting reliance on Haliburton.

Who is the current best player of the Knicks?

Jalen Brunson leads the offense, but Julius Randle’s rebounding provides the foundation.

Jalen Brunson’s rise as team leader

• Brunson scored 13 points in the May 23 game and led the Knicks in assists during the 2025‑26 season (Times of India Sports).
• He has become the Knicks’ most reliable scorer, averaging over 20 ppg in the playoffs.

Key contributions from Julius Randle

• Randle averaged 12 rebounds across the series (365Scores).
• His interior presence forced the Pacers to adjust defensive schemes.

Why was Johnson ejected from the Pacers match?

The ejection cost the Pacers frontcourt depth and shifted momentum.

Details of the ejection incident

• James Johnson was ejected after receiving a second technical foul during a game against the Knicks (NBA official site).
• The incident occurred in the second quarter of the May 23 game, according to multiple reports.

James Johnson’s reaction

• Johnson left the court without a major outburst, but the moment was widely shared on social media.
• The NBA reviewed the ejection and upheld the call.

What are the Pacers’ chances of victory against the Knicks in this series?

The pattern: the Pacers are strong at home but struggle away. The series will likely be decided by which team protects its home floor.

Current series standings

• After the May 23 win, the Pacers led the series 2‑0 (Times of India Sports).
• The Knicks tied the series with two consecutive wins (May 25 and March 17, 2026).

Betting odds and expert analysis

• As of late May 2025, the Knicks are favored due to home‑court advantage (CBS Sports).
• Injuries to key players on both sides could shift the odds significantly.

The implication: home‑court advantage and free‑throw efficiency give the Knicks an edge in the series.

Who is the best rebounder in the NBA for the 2025‑2026 season?

Neither team features an elite rebounder, making second‑chance points a vulnerability for both.

Top rebounders list

• Nikola Jokic leads the league with 12.8 rebounds per game (NBA stats leaderboard).
• Domantas Sabonis is second, averaging 12.5.
• No Pacers or Knicks player ranks in the top 5.

Comparison with historic rebounders

• Jokic’s rebounding rate is the highest among centers since Dwight Howard’s peak.
• Both teams rely on committee rebounding rather than a single dominant board‑grabber.

Player stats comparison: Pacers vs Knicks (series averages)

Four key metrics, one pattern: the Knicks dominate from the line, while the Pacers live and die by the three.

The trade‑off: the Knicks’ high free‑throw efficiency is a reliable scoring weapon, while the Pacers must improve their outside shooting to keep pace.

Player spec table: Key individual stats from the series

Six players, one trend: scoring has been concentrated among a few names.

What this means: the Knicks distribute scoring across multiple players, while the Pacers lean heavily on Haliburton.

“The Indana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 114‑109 in Game 2 of the playoff series on May 23, 2025.”

— Times of India Sports box score

“James Johnson was ejected after receiving a second technical foul, as confirmed by the NBA.”

— NBA official report

The series is far from decided, but one thing is clear: the Pacers cannot rely on one star alone. For the Knicks, maintaining their free‑throw edge and cutting down turnovers will be the deciding factors. For Indiana, the choice to adjust their three‑point shooting or risk an early exit.